Kathryn Stinton
@kathrynstinton.bsky.social
Independent Early Years Consultant/Elklan Tutor. Ex Local Authority Area SENCO/Teacher enjoying my freedom. Animal lover + volunteer at Vale Wildlife Hospital. www.kathrynstinton.com
A new podcast from Radio 4 - SEND in the Spotlight. First guests - Anna Maxwell Martin + Kellie Bright. www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/...
Woman’s Hour launches SEND in the Spotlight, a new podcast reimagining support for special educational needs
The podcast which will feature guests including Anna Maxwell Martin and Kellie Bright, explores the realities of life for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities – an...
www.bbc.co.uk
December 9, 2025 at 8:40 AM
A new podcast from Radio 4 - SEND in the Spotlight. First guests - Anna Maxwell Martin + Kellie Bright. www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/...
'By allowing smuggling networks to decide who is and isn’t allowed to cross, the UK and French governments have handed over the fundamental right of access to asylum to these organised criminal networks,” the report states.'
Rather than pushing yet more hostile anti-asylum policies, Labour needs to be actually supporting people. UK policies and rhetoric have the inevitable consequences of not only forcing more people towards gangs, but increasing violence used against them. #r4today
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
UK asylum policy causes more violence and deaths, say rights groups
Home Office drive to stop small boats crossing Channel is handing more power to people smugglers, report finds
www.theguardian.com
December 8, 2025 at 8:31 AM
'By allowing smuggling networks to decide who is and isn’t allowed to cross, the UK and French governments have handed over the fundamental right of access to asylum to these organised criminal networks,” the report states.'
'Which brings me to one question I’d like to ask the health secretary: however much he prettifies it, why is he picking over the number of diagnoses, when he could be focusing on why our systems of work, education and care are still so closed off to the people who get them?'
Latest from me: on overdiagnosis, a craze/bandwagon the govt is indulging by commissioning an official review, complete with the clunky blurring of mental illness & neurodivergence www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The right’s callous overdiagnosis bandwagon is rolling. Wes Streeting should not be on it | John Harris
Thankfully, we now know more about conditions such as autism and ADHD. The health secretary must not be part of this attempt to turn back the clock, says Guardian columnist John Harris
www.theguardian.com
December 7, 2025 at 9:19 PM
'Which brings me to one question I’d like to ask the health secretary: however much he prettifies it, why is he picking over the number of diagnoses, when he could be focusing on why our systems of work, education and care are still so closed off to the people who get them?'
What a fantastic offer from @talestoolkit.bsky.social
The first time ever sharing ALL our webinars for free! 🎁 Our gift to passionate early years practitioners this Christmas. Find out more >> https://loom.ly/AyM7dTQ
#earlyyearspractitioners #talestoolkit #eyfs #ece #earlychildhoodeducators
#earlyyearspractitioners #talestoolkit #eyfs #ece #earlychildhoodeducators
December 3, 2025 at 5:05 PM
What a fantastic offer from @talestoolkit.bsky.social
Reposted by Kathryn Stinton
I've had lots of requests to rerun my adaptive teaching webinar, so I'm hosting another one on 20th January. See the link below for details. Lots of practical advice on strategies for an inclusive classroom. Pay what you can to attend. Please share. Thank you!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-ultima...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-ultima...
The Ultimate Guide to Adaptive Teaching - Webinar with Sue Cowley
Sue Cowley shares ideas about adaptive teaching and gives a range of practical strategies for creating an inclusive classroom
www.eventbrite.co.uk
December 3, 2025 at 12:21 PM
I've had lots of requests to rerun my adaptive teaching webinar, so I'm hosting another one on 20th January. See the link below for details. Lots of practical advice on strategies for an inclusive classroom. Pay what you can to attend. Please share. Thank you!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-ultima...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-ultima...
Face to Face Events councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/work-us/even...
Online Events
www.eventbrite.com/cc/send-refo...
Online Events
www.eventbrite.com/cc/send-refo...
Schools minister Georgia Gould is to lead a series of face to face engagement events aimed at shaping the government’s SEND reform plans. www.tes.com/magazine/new...
SEND: Gould to hear public’s view on national support framework
Schools minister Georgia Gould will hold a series of face-to-face public events about DfE’s planned reforms
www.tes.com
December 2, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Face to Face Events councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/work-us/even...
Online Events
www.eventbrite.com/cc/send-refo...
Online Events
www.eventbrite.com/cc/send-refo...
Reposted by Kathryn Stinton
Tidying the garden this weekend? Please LEAVE THOSE LEAVES 🍂
They're vital for a healthy garden ecosystem - offering nutrients for plants, vital nesting materials for #hedgehogs, and food & shelter for a myriad of insects, grubs & more!
🌳 🦔 🪱
More tips👇
buff.ly/44DqrQY
📹 The Rickety Shed
They're vital for a healthy garden ecosystem - offering nutrients for plants, vital nesting materials for #hedgehogs, and food & shelter for a myriad of insects, grubs & more!
🌳 🦔 🪱
More tips👇
buff.ly/44DqrQY
📹 The Rickety Shed
November 23, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Tidying the garden this weekend? Please LEAVE THOSE LEAVES 🍂
They're vital for a healthy garden ecosystem - offering nutrients for plants, vital nesting materials for #hedgehogs, and food & shelter for a myriad of insects, grubs & more!
🌳 🦔 🪱
More tips👇
buff.ly/44DqrQY
📹 The Rickety Shed
They're vital for a healthy garden ecosystem - offering nutrients for plants, vital nesting materials for #hedgehogs, and food & shelter for a myriad of insects, grubs & more!
🌳 🦔 🪱
More tips👇
buff.ly/44DqrQY
📹 The Rickety Shed
Reposted by Kathryn Stinton
If you are U.K. based and angered by Shabana Mahmood's latest efforts to make migrants lives even more difficult (and I know some of you will be), please do take the time to submit a response to the Home Office consultation.
Dan's advice below is excellent as a guide on how to respond.
Dan's advice below is excellent as a guide on how to respond.
I am currently, because I know how to enjoy a Saturday morning, writing some guidance for people on filling this consultation in. As I do several things are highly apparent. Before I go through them though I don't want this to put people off of filling it in. It is important to do so nonetheless. 1/
Government has today published its consultation into "earned settlement", the forward alone contains a hot mess of misrepresentation of the current system by the Home Secretary. I would strongly urge anyone affected by the current system to respond.
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/691edd...
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/691edd...
November 22, 2025 at 9:03 AM
If you are U.K. based and angered by Shabana Mahmood's latest efforts to make migrants lives even more difficult (and I know some of you will be), please do take the time to submit a response to the Home Office consultation.
Dan's advice below is excellent as a guide on how to respond.
Dan's advice below is excellent as a guide on how to respond.
"Rather than starting with mainstream expectations and adapting them for pupils with SEND, curriculum design should begin with the needs of learners with SEND and work outwards. This ensures learning is genuinely inclusive, developmentally appropriate and ambitious”
The government is in danger of overlooking the importance of what is taught in special schools and needs to focus more on students who cannot access the national curriculum, special-school leaders have warned. www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Special schools fear being an ‘afterthought’ on curriculum
In response to the curriculum review, leaders in the specialist sector urge the DfE to focus more on what is taught in special schools and how best practice can be shared
www.tes.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:26 AM
"Rather than starting with mainstream expectations and adapting them for pupils with SEND, curriculum design should begin with the needs of learners with SEND and work outwards. This ensures learning is genuinely inclusive, developmentally appropriate and ambitious”
Reposted by Kathryn Stinton
A baby in her pram on the train rummages around for a long time in the depths of her pram seat. Finally, she finds a small piece of broken cracker and with a fabulous smile, she offers it to the man opposite her.
November 13, 2025 at 8:18 PM
A baby in her pram on the train rummages around for a long time in the depths of her pram seat. Finally, she finds a small piece of broken cracker and with a fabulous smile, she offers it to the man opposite her.
Reposted by Kathryn Stinton
Imo 'school readiness' is a ridiculous concept especially now that so many of the early learning goals (the measure they use) are not developmentally appropriate. Honestly you should see the self-regulation goals because quite a lot of *adults* wouldn't meet them.
Government wants to raise 'school readiness' to 75% by 2028 - but experts have warned the education committee this target could leave poorer pupils further behind
schoolsweek.co.uk/government-s...
schoolsweek.co.uk/government-s...
School readiness target 'risky', experts tell MPs
Experts fear a focus on those 'closest to the line' as ministers impose 75% school readiness aim
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Imo 'school readiness' is a ridiculous concept especially now that so many of the early learning goals (the measure they use) are not developmentally appropriate. Honestly you should see the self-regulation goals because quite a lot of *adults* wouldn't meet them.
Reposted by Kathryn Stinton
UK Parliament - School Transport! They want to hear from organisations and individuals – and it’s easy to do 📑
Find out more here: https://f.mtr.cool/vtuceigrsf
Find out more here: https://f.mtr.cool/vtuceigrsf
November 12, 2025 at 10:03 AM
UK Parliament - School Transport! They want to hear from organisations and individuals – and it’s easy to do 📑
Find out more here: https://f.mtr.cool/vtuceigrsf
Find out more here: https://f.mtr.cool/vtuceigrsf
Reposted by Kathryn Stinton
Our free EYSEND workshops are continuing throughout the Autumn Term!📆
Join us and learn how to give families the tools to support their child’s communication skills💬👩👩👧👦
Learn more and book your place: https://speechandlanguage.org.uk/educators-and-professionals/training-courses/eysend-partnership/
Join us and learn how to give families the tools to support their child’s communication skills💬👩👩👧👦
Learn more and book your place: https://speechandlanguage.org.uk/educators-and-professionals/training-courses/eysend-partnership/
November 11, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Our free EYSEND workshops are continuing throughout the Autumn Term!📆
Join us and learn how to give families the tools to support their child’s communication skills💬👩👩👧👦
Learn more and book your place: https://speechandlanguage.org.uk/educators-and-professionals/training-courses/eysend-partnership/
Join us and learn how to give families the tools to support their child’s communication skills💬👩👩👧👦
Learn more and book your place: https://speechandlanguage.org.uk/educators-and-professionals/training-courses/eysend-partnership/
Reposted by Kathryn Stinton
I’m so upset with our govt. A 3 line whip (😮) to stop a brick being put into new buildings. Please don’t let the swifts die
Swifts have declined 70% since 1994.
They fly from Africa to breed here, only to find we've blocked their nest sites.
A £35 swift brick nest box was proposed for all new buildings.
The construction industry lobbied Labour to block it.
Biodiversity sustains life. Labour sustains economic power.
They fly from Africa to breed here, only to find we've blocked their nest sites.
A £35 swift brick nest box was proposed for all new buildings.
The construction industry lobbied Labour to block it.
Biodiversity sustains life. Labour sustains economic power.
November 8, 2025 at 8:31 AM
I’m so upset with our govt. A 3 line whip (😮) to stop a brick being put into new buildings. Please don’t let the swifts die
Reposted by Kathryn Stinton
UK photographer Shirley Baker documented the city of Manchester's streets in the 1960s #WomensArt
November 8, 2025 at 5:34 AM
UK photographer Shirley Baker documented the city of Manchester's streets in the 1960s #WomensArt
Reposted by Kathryn Stinton
NEW POST: Yesterday, the year-long Curriculum and Assessment Review—and the Government response—were published. But what's in it to help children with SEND—and what do support organisations think? @tanialt.bsky.social explains more: www.specialneedsjungle.com/c...
November 6, 2025 at 6:02 AM
NEW POST: Yesterday, the year-long Curriculum and Assessment Review—and the Government response—were published. But what's in it to help children with SEND—and what do support organisations think? @tanialt.bsky.social explains more: www.specialneedsjungle.com/c...
Reposted by Kathryn Stinton
I'm particularly found of the light on this big bruiser. He was just waking up from a nap. #BearSeason2025 #mammals 🌿
November 3, 2025 at 4:47 PM
I'm particularly found of the light on this big bruiser. He was just waking up from a nap. #BearSeason2025 #mammals 🌿
'In refusing to accept that children learn in specific ways, and by shortening the critical development stage for play-based learning, the English education system has gone badly wrong.'
Do we really expect five-year-olds to sit at desks? I want a school that understands play is learning | Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett
Do we really expect five-year-olds to sit at desks? I want a school that understands play is learning | Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett
In England, young children go from glitter clay and building dens to classrooms a Victorian would recognise – and that system is failing many of them, says Guardian columnist Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett
www.theguardian.com
October 29, 2025 at 9:43 AM
'In refusing to accept that children learn in specific ways, and by shortening the critical development stage for play-based learning, the English education system has gone badly wrong.'
There are lots of myths about Education, Health + Care needs assessments + many plans aren't specific enough. Please signpost parents to the IPSEA website for independent + accurate information.
www.ipsea.org.uk/ehc-needs-as...
www.ipsea.org.uk/ehc-needs-as...
EHC needs assessments
An EHC needs assessment is an assessment of a child or young person’s education, health and care needs
www.ipsea.org.uk
October 24, 2025 at 12:43 PM
There are lots of myths about Education, Health + Care needs assessments + many plans aren't specific enough. Please signpost parents to the IPSEA website for independent + accurate information.
www.ipsea.org.uk/ehc-needs-as...
www.ipsea.org.uk/ehc-needs-as...
Reposted by Kathryn Stinton
"Children are not presenting with “new” vulnerabilities; the buffering architecture around them has been removed."
Possibly applies at all ages
Possibly applies at all ages
"Guidance is often authored by individuals embedded in social and professional contexts where time, stability, literacy capital and institutional trust are assumed. The child is assessed against a developmental story they were never resourced to live." AMEN!
www.nurseryworld.co.uk/content/news...
www.nurseryworld.co.uk/content/news...
Dr Aaron Bradbury: If school readiness is really about children, we need to stop pretending context doesn’t matter - Nursery World
Every child's individual experience needs to be taken into account when they start school, says Dr Aaron Bradbury
www.nurseryworld.co.uk
October 21, 2025 at 6:05 AM
"Children are not presenting with “new” vulnerabilities; the buffering architecture around them has been removed."
Possibly applies at all ages
Possibly applies at all ages
Reposted by Kathryn Stinton
I'm running a webinar on adaptive teaching on 5th November. Loads of practical advice about inclusive approaches to teaching. Pay what you can to attend. Please share. Thank you! #EduSky
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-ultima...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-ultima...
The Ultimate Guide to Adaptive Teaching - Webinar with Sue Cowley
Sue Cowley shares ideas about adaptive teaching and offers a range of practical strategies for creating an inclusive classroom
www.eventbrite.co.uk
October 20, 2025 at 2:06 PM
I'm running a webinar on adaptive teaching on 5th November. Loads of practical advice about inclusive approaches to teaching. Pay what you can to attend. Please share. Thank you! #EduSky
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-ultima...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-ultima...
Reposted by Kathryn Stinton
Bookstores are more than shops—they’re havens. You walk in for one book, leave with three, and gain an hour of peace just wandering the shelves.
October 20, 2025 at 1:09 AM
Bookstores are more than shops—they’re havens. You walk in for one book, leave with three, and gain an hour of peace just wandering the shelves.
Reposted by Kathryn Stinton
Fake cobwebs like these may look spooky – but what's really scary about them is that they can trap & injure wildlife, including birds, insects & small mammals. And fake webs aren't recyclable – so will end up in landfill for many years.
More: littlegreenspace.org.uk/features/5-i...
#Halloween
More: littlegreenspace.org.uk/features/5-i...
#Halloween
October 13, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Fake cobwebs like these may look spooky – but what's really scary about them is that they can trap & injure wildlife, including birds, insects & small mammals. And fake webs aren't recyclable – so will end up in landfill for many years.
More: littlegreenspace.org.uk/features/5-i...
#Halloween
More: littlegreenspace.org.uk/features/5-i...
#Halloween
Reposted by Kathryn Stinton
We offer 1-hour sessions to provide parents and carers with information to help support a child or young person when someone important to them has died, while also looking after yourself. 💛
To register: childbereavementuk.org/support-webinars
#bereavedfamilies #bereavementsupport #griefsupport
To register: childbereavementuk.org/support-webinars
#bereavedfamilies #bereavementsupport #griefsupport
October 18, 2025 at 10:00 AM
We offer 1-hour sessions to provide parents and carers with information to help support a child or young person when someone important to them has died, while also looking after yourself. 💛
To register: childbereavementuk.org/support-webinars
#bereavedfamilies #bereavementsupport #griefsupport
To register: childbereavementuk.org/support-webinars
#bereavedfamilies #bereavementsupport #griefsupport